Some 40 years ago, front desk volunteer Lou Weaver and his late partner, Jay Sitter, discovered Palm Springs when, during a cross-country road trip from their home in Ohio, they heard it had gay resorts. “We decided it was worth a visit,” he recalls, “and fell in love with the place even though it was July.”

So it’s not surprising that, 24 years ago when Lou retired after leading a very closeted life during his working career (in school administration, during which he served as an elementary, middle, high school principal and curriculum director in the Cleveland area), the couple moved here.

After Jay’s death 12 years ago, Lou developed a passion for volunteerism, first exercised at our art museum where he ended up as chairperson of volunteers. Eventually, when the administrative details of supervising some 200 workers became exhausting, Lou reverted to being a volunteer greeter, and started looking around for other volunteer opportunities. It was then that, “with great luck,” he discovered The Center where, he adds, he has been able to do what he likes most - greeting and talking with people - in an environment where, in addition to “contributing to community,” he has discovered “some of the greatest people I’ve had a chance to assist.

“Aging, with its many challenges, has taught me so many things about life,” Lou Weaver adds. “If I can pass that on by helping others, it makes my day.”